According to the data published by Istat on Italy’s foreign trade—currently available only for non-EU countries—Italy exported goods worth €127.7 billion during the first five months of 2025, marking an increase of +0.5% compared to the same period in 2024.
In the same period, imports from non-EU countries amounted to approximately €108.8 billion, reflecting an increase of +8.4% compared to the first five months of 2024.
The trade balance with non-EU countries in the first five months of 2025 was positive, standing at +€18.9 billion (down from +€26.6 billion in the same period of 2024). Excluding the energy sector (which recorded a deficit of -€21.1 billion), the trade surplus stood at +€40 billion.
Geographical trends based on currently available data for Italy’s main non-EU trading partners, export growth in value was particularly strong in the following countries/regions: Switzerland (+12.3%), OPEC countries (+11.3%), Middle East (+9.1%), MERCOSUR countries (+7.4%), United States (+7.2%), ASEAN countries (+1%), and Japan (+0.5%). Conversely, exports declined towards: Türkiye (-19%), Russia (-17.7%), China (-13.2%), the United Kingdom (-1.5%), and India (-0.5%).
At the sectoral level—data available only for product groupings—the increase in exports was mainly driven by higher sales of non-durable consumer goods (+10.7%) and intermediate goods (+2.7%).
NON-EU FOREIGN TRADE PERFORMANCE – MAY 2025
In May 2025, compared to May 2024, exports to non-EU countries declined for the second consecutive month, recording a drop of -5.2% (following a decrease of -1.4% in April 2025 compared to April 2024). At the sectoral level—data available only for product groupings—the decline in exports to non-EU markets affected all categories except for non-durable consumer goods, which increased by +6.8%. Decreases were recorded in: durable consumer goods (-13%), capital goods (-9.7%), and intermediate goods (-7.2%). At the geographical level—data currently available only for Italy’s main non-EU trading partners—exports saw notable declines towards: Türkiye (-22.7%), China (-22.8%), the United Kingdom (-9.6%), and MERCOSUR countries (-6.2%). By contrast, exports increased towards: Switzerland (+9.2%), the United States (+2.5%), ASEAN countries (+4.4%), OPEC countries (+0.4%), and Japan (+0.8%). In May 2025, compared to May 2024, imports also decreased (-3.6%), mainly due to a reduction in energy purchases (-13.3%) and capital goods (-12%). The trade surplus with non-EU countries in May 2025 stood at +€5.2 billion (compared to +€5.9 billion in May 2024). Excluding the energy sector (which recorded a deficit of -€3.7 billion), the trade surplus reached nearly +€9 billion.
Compared to the previous month (April 2025), May 2025 recorded a decline in both exports (-3.5%) and, more significantly, imports (-7.6%). The decline in exports was mainly due to reduced sales of intermediate goods (-6%) and capital goods (-3.7%).
